1/27/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March.

While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint initiative that ensures all outside-the-wire deployers in Afghanistan, regardless of branch of service, have the best ground combat uniform in order to enhance combat effectiveness.

According to Lt. Col. Shawna McGowan, the Air Force future programs branch chief, Air Force leaders collaborated with Army experts to develop a solution to meet evolving camouflage and fire-retardancy demands in theater.

The new uniform, called the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, is the same uniform recently fielded in Afghanistan to U.S. Soldiers, Colonel McGowan said.

"At first, Airmen receiving the (Airman Battle System-Ground, or ABS-G) uniforms with mission responsibilities outside the wire in Afghanistan will have priority for the OCP."

But the plan is for the OCP uniform to eventually become the only ground-combat uniform worn by Airmen in Afghanistan both inside and outside the wire, she said. This also will minimize the number of bags Airmen will carry into and out of the theater.

"The OCP uniform is scientifically developed to blend in with Afghanistan's terrain, which will make our Airmen safer and more effective on the battlefield," she said. "The new material is also flame resistant and lighter weight than either the ABS-G or the (Airman Battle Uniforms, or ABUs)."

The material also contains a bug repellant to protect our deployed Airmen, she added.

And, the colonel said, not only is this uniform better than its predecessors, but working jointly with the Army to use a tested uniform is the fiscally responsible thing to do.

"It's not only a joint use of the best ground combat uniform available," Colonel McGowan said, "it saves fiscal resources and also aligns with the National Defense Authorization Act language that encourages collaborative efforts between the services."

Since the OCP is replacing the other uniforms, there also will be a savings that will come from not needing to store and supply both the ABS-G and ABU, she said.

This won't be the first time Airmen have worn this camouflage pattern in Afghanistan though.

"Some Air Force personnel who are assigned to Army units were already issued the OCPs in the Army fielding initiative that began in August," said Colonel McGowan, who restated that these uniforms will be issued to individuals, and they won't be covered out-of-pocket by Airmen.

Individual units won't even be authorized to purchase these uniforms for the foreseeable future, the colonel said.

"The only authorized OCP uniforms are those purchased and issued by Air Force Central Command," Colonel McGowan said. "While some units are interested in procuring the OCP for training, future deployments and such, they won't be authorized to do so because those orders would take away from supplies that are prioritized for the most at-risk deployers."

The colonel emphasized that patience and teamwork are critical during any individual equipment transition and while actions to field the OCP as quickly as possible are ongoing, Airmen should be reassured they will have them as soon as they can be fielded.

She also discouraged individuals from purchasing their own uniforms as that could result in them receiving non-tested, non-compliant uniforms that ultimately could put lives at risk. With any new uniform, 'knock-offs' are readily available and Airmen need to use sound judgment and not spend personal funds on potentially non-compliant OCP assets, she said.

"Essentially, any unauthorized purchase of the OCP uniforms could result in putting Airmen at risk either on the front lines or at home," the colonel said.

She said switching to the OCP and having AFCENT as the sole issue point for these uniforms will meet the ultimate goal of ensuring that Airmen are equipped with the best, most advanced uniform available today.

Comments

6/27/2011 1:33:14 AM ETI am just now seeing and hearing this. We left the BDU due to the Army having a patent on it and the AF couldn't make changes. So we went with a new one we could change. Now we are told we can't wear it outside the wire, we can wear only certain types of uniforms from other branches of the service. Why did we spend so much money and time designing a new uniform and testing it just to turn around and say you can't wear that when you are deployed? Now we are spending more money on another uniform for what, to end up replacing the ABU, which has a mandatory wear date of Nov. 1, 2011? Like the one poster said, fraud, waste and abuse at the highest levels.

Chris, Kunsan

2/28/2011 8:31:28 AM ETI really think the OCPs should be used across the board as far as the AF uniforms go. If they are as functional in the field as others say they are they why settle for something less? If it was decided for all airmen to recieve this uniform a more multi-purpose one I'm sure airmen would save money in the long run. There are those of us though that would like to wear our patches and although it is an army thing I would like to be able to wear the US flag on my uniform. The AF is just as much of a part in these conflicts as any other branch and i feel it is only fair to have the option to wear such things. Not only to be more uniform with other branches but to show the pride we have for our nation as well.

A1C Spadafora, KEESLER

2/24/2011 1:58:46 PM ETJust think of all the jobs that could've been saved throughout the forces if we all wore the same uniform. The fraud waste and abuse is just staggering. How the people behind these choices still have jobs or rank on their collars is beyond me. Oh and can we stop wasting money on ORIs as well until Tactical Ballistic Missile scenarios become a threat again

TSGT, New England

2/23/2011 9:42:56 AM ET
While we are on the uniform subject. I was wondering if anyone could please tell me why the Air force would send a select group of Airman, for example, TACPs, to war with their Army counterparts just to strip them of things they have earned this upcoming November. The new uniforms standards don't support the wear ofcombat patches, CAB or Ranger tabs. I personally know Airmen that have earned every one of the above and they don't feel we are better than Airmen that may not have them. I feel it is a smack in the face to have to take them off. Contrary to popular belief many Airmen are ground pounders. They serve their country proudly and are well respected Liaisons to the Army because of what they bring to the fight and personal accomplishments that were no walk in the park to achieve. Wearing combat patches, Ranger tabs CAB's or anything else earned through literal blood, sweat and the occasional tear says a lot about the individual and ones uniform should reflect that.

SSgt Leak, Afghanistan

2/13/2011 7:02:46 AM ETI am an Airman that is wearing the multicams in OEF. It is a great uniform in and outside the wire. The Air Force should just make the OCP both the Garrison and Deployed uniform. It just needs to be a little bit more durable than the current issue. It works everywhere we plan to do warfare. I know I am tired of dealing with multiple uniforms both carrying them in to the AOR and trying to issue 3 types -ACU ABS-G and OCP- uniforms to my TACP's because we don't know what uniform we need to wear to do the job at hand. A uniform is meant to make us unified. We look like a rag-tag military with all of these different uniforms. Lets go back to the day of one team one fight and all U.S. military wear the same uniforms and boots. That is how we as the U.S. Armed Forces will save tax payer dollars.

SSgt S, Kandahar Afghanistan

2/7/2011 8:50:05 AM ETSpecifically in the comment rules it states that All comments are reviewed before being posted...content managers reserve the right to not publish comments that are considered personal attacks or insults. Yet they allow comments that degrade some of my fellow airman as noners. Please remove such posts and do not allow them in the future. We are all part of the same team and we all do real jobs Matthew from DM. I've spent plenty of hours behind a desk and plenty of hours outside the wire and nothing upsets me more than to hear our own people make personal attacks to their wingman. It takes all sorts of professions to make our USAF the most dominant AF in the world.

USAF Maj, Wright Patterson

2/2/2011 9:26:23 PM ETThis debate over different types of cammo is fine but I'd still like to see an actual maintenance uniform. Remember the old fatigues? I don't need to polish my boots and press my sleeves and blouse my pants to climb into the you-know-what of the jet. You want real uniform changes? Have the noners due a real job in the uniform they decide I need. Then we'll see some reforms.

Matthew, Davis-Monthan

2/1/2011 3:59:24 PM ETWhy in the world do we keep changing the uniforms? I agree with standardization but come on.....this is getting ridiculous.

Krystal, Keesler

2/1/2011 4:52:33 AM ETAgree with DJL at the bottom of the page. You shouldn't have to go anywhere else to get something better. We could be fighting somewhere else next week. Just a thought We should have kept the BDU pattern for home and this new multicam seems to be what we need for desert and mountain terrain. Regardless issue every Airman the multicam straight from the get-go. We should always be ready to go. Just my two cents.

Danny, RAFL

1/31/2011 12:57:50 PM ETNow will we be required to wear our normal size stripes, or will we go to the army size so we will not be a standout target?

Only the best, oklahoma

1/31/2011 4:49:40 AM ETAbout darn time. I was hoping that one day the Air Force would put combat effectiveness above service identity or other such nonsense.

James, CONUS

1/31/2011 4:23:27 AM ETBut doesn't the ABU blend in with the desert landscape in other countries? Never heard much griping about it till now.

KS, Japan

1/30/2011 1:05:23 PM ET@Jay - Great point about the boots. The Air Force needs to get rid of the idea that everyone needs to wear green boots. Tan boots look appropriate with multi-cam ABUs ABS-G's and ACUs. Maybe I could submit this to the IDEA program Getting rid of the green boots will save Airmen money.

Caveman, Bedrock

1/29/2011 9:17:22 AM ETI agree 100 percent get rid of the current uniform and move to a more effective camouflage pattern suited for each region or areas prevailing color scheme. We need to also advocate for a more advanced thermal management material which keeps us cooler in hot weather and wet weather environments. I know every maintainer out there would appreciate cooler body temps on the flight line as well as any security forces member maintaining a optimum core temp while out on patrol. Admin AF positions will also benefit from improved thermal management. It is a fact when humans are in a optimum core body temp we are all safer and more combat effective.

Al, HAFB

1/29/2011 1:38:00 AM ETOCP Umm how about Multicam?

Wilson, Afghanistan

1/28/2011 6:25:31 PM ETOk now let me get this....We spend millions on ABU's to have our own distinctive uniforms that can be worn from stateside to the battlefield and before they are completely rolled out we are giving warfighters a new uniform that is joint forces.

TSgt V, The Guard

1/28/2011 4:50:33 PM ETI am glad to see that we are finally coming to our senses about functionality over fashion. This is one of the single most effective ways we can keep our guys safe. ABU/ACU pattern stands out like a sore thumb against the woodlands of most of Afghanistan. Especially when our ANACDO counterparts are wearing BDU Woodland uniforms. Let's keep the good idea train rolling now.

SSgt. Ryan Crane, Scott AFB IL

1/28/2011 4:20:29 PM ETMulticam That's what it is and has been from the start. I wonder how many Airmen have lost their lives due to the ABU and generals got rich off of it.

Someone, somewhere.

1/28/2011 3:16:32 PM ETGlad to know that all this money saved by closing down the best fighter squadron at hill afb is going towards another ridicules uniform idea.

Dave, South Korea

1/28/2011 3:13:24 PM ETGreat comment SSgt J

SSgt H, Nebraska

1/28/2011 12:46:27 PM ETWow, I'm glad y'all can gripe about cost and how it is a burden to change out and wear. I'm sure glad you arent worried about the Saftey of the Airman and troops wearing it. Congrats, you are a winner.

SSgt J, Cali

1/28/2011 12:34:19 PM ETBy the time the Air Force gets this fielded the combat operations in Afghanistan will have ended. It just shows what I have suspected for a long time. There must be several general officers with a lot of stock in uniform companies. Why else all the constant changes? Everytime there is a change there is also a comment that this is the ultimate solution.

Jerry, Oklahoma

1/28/2011 11:11:51 AM ETQuickly Air Force push this to everyone and send the ABU to China. That way we'll be able to see them miles away. With the Chinese equipped with ABUs there will be no place they can hide- except in cubicles...

A1C, Georgia

1/28/2011 10:54:43 AM ETThis also will minimize the number of bags Airmen will carry into and out of the theater Unless they are issuing the uniform in country, then Airman will still be carrying the same number of bags whether they are wearing ABUs or these new uniforms. Besides you're limited to the number of bags you take anyways. What a dumb comment.

TSgt L, Texas

1/28/2011 10:38:15 AM ETMillions of dollars wasted in testing and issuing the ABU. This is sort of waste of taxpayer dollars that needs to stop. Since the big push is jointness the Army Navy Air Force and Marines need to work together and create one utilitywork uniform for all thus driving costs down. That was a major reasoning for the BDU being issued back in the mid- to-late 1980s. Leave the service distinction for the dress uniforms.

Retired MSgt A, Panama City FL

1/28/2011 9:54:45 AM ETThe Air Force messed up when they decided to go with the ABU. It was a horrible idea, bad design, not well thought out and had no operational need. What needs to happen is they need to stick with the Multicam pattern for everything, deployers and home station. Also enough with the fancy names. Just call it what it is, multicam.

Matt, NC

1/28/2011 9:33:06 AM ETSo I guess the Battle misnomer of the ABU has been finally laid to rest. Wish I could dig up copies of all the propaganda that was put out years ago saying the ABU was going to be our single go-to-war uniform...

R, MS

1/28/2011 8:59:32 AM ETOnce again, practicality and common sense appear AFTER the fact. Wasn't the ABU supposed to simplify issuing different sets of uniforms? Wasn't it supposed to be THE uniform to be used in any AOR? We seem to keep going backwards every time we try moving forward.

Steve, Tampa

1/28/2011 8:32:48 AM ETWhoa, look at all the people chiming in This is just like the "I-know-a-way-better-rifle-than-the-M4" debate. Everyone is a good-idea fairy when it comes to camo. Please realize that in our current ground combat situation, blending in really isn't going to be ruined by your uniform, it's going to be ruined by the 25-ton truck idling next to you and all the crap you have to hump along with you. Once you get beyond 50 yards all the patterns start to look the same. This is just another arena where rear-echelon types want to look cool and spout off about how much they know.

EOD MSgt, Indian Head

1/28/2011 6:54:48 AM ETThis is tiring! I have been in the AOR for a little more than 4 months and have gone through 3 different sets of uniforms. I arrived with my ABU's which were quickly nixed for the flame-resistant army combat uniform, and we had to pay for the name tapes and hats out of pocket, by the way, because certain aspects of our leadership deemed it essential to our morale that we walk around looking like every other Army guy around here. After a month and some serious fraud, waste and abuse allegations coming out we then get sent hand-me-down ABS-G's which seemed to work the best out here. It's sad that we can't seem to get simple like uniforms right. So now all those improved outer tactical vests and other ACU/ABU pattern accessories in production will need to be issued out. Stupid.

John Galt, OEF

1/28/2011 5:22:30 AM ETHmmm... So how does this affect the phaseout of the tan boot effective 1 Oct 2011? I don't think the OCP is sage-green boot compatible. AFCENT still requires tan boots for deployers. What happens on 1 Oct when Big AF says no more tan boots? I wonder if anyone's even thought of that.

Jay, Afghanistan

1/28/2011 4:38:38 AM ETAfter clicking one of the related links with this article I discovered the name was actually created by the Army. Of course I have yet to hear an Army soldier over here call it anything but multicam.

Ray, Afghanistan

1/28/2011 2:27:28 AM ETFinally the AF has gotten smart sad that it has taken this long. This uniform should just replace the ABU as it is more practical in more environments. My one complaint the name...OCP What is wrong with calling this what it is, the multicam? Plus what happens when the name of OEF is changed to something else like OIF is now Operation New Dawn? Did someone get a medal for coming up with that name? Totally ridiculous. Oh on a side note the AF needs to allow deployers to travel to and from their homestation to their deployment locations in only 1 uniform. I had to bring both ABU's and ABS-G's for my current deployment. The only time I have worn the ABU was traveling from the states to Afghanistan since then it has been all ABS-G, while my ABUs take up room in my tiny wall locker.

Ray, Afghanistan

1/27/2011 11:56:53 PM ETSo they finally realized that the ABU doesn't blend into anything and is too thick. Now they are issuing a camouflage pattern that actually blends into something. Millions of dollars and resources wasted on a worthless uniform. Great use of money as always AF.

me, somewhere

1/27/2011 10:42:31 PM ETStop wasting millions of dollars on tax payer dollars by coming up with new unique uniforms for each service. Everyone in the DoD should wear a universal uniform like the BDU's and fatigues of the past. That way during deployments or resupplies you can easily go to any services base to get replacement items.

Nick, Hawaii

1/27/2011 10:33:46 PM ETWow. Leadership finally got something right.

SrA Muddeh, Osan

1/27/2011 9:22:04 PM ETso yet another uniform for deployed personnel. aren't we in a budget reduction?

Retired, Colo Springs

1/27/2011 8:15:04 PM ET"Essentially any unauthorized purchase of the OCP uniforms could result in putting Airmen at risk either on the front lines or at homethe colonel said. She said switching to the OCP and having AFCENT as the sole issue point for these uniforms will meet the ultimate goal of ensuring that Airmen are equipped with the best most advanced uniform available today." Sounds like someone is protecting a contract to me. Why wouldn't you allow an Airman to buy what he/she feels is to be a better product? It's a valid question in my mind. On the subject of camo patterns....why not follow suit with the hunting community? They seem to have a good idea of how not to attract unwanted attention. On another note, I am happy to see someone within the rank structure taking a step to field our troops with better gear. Anything is better than the ABU.

Mo-Mo, Around

1/27/2011 8:00:39 PM ETAnother waste of money

Paul, texas

1/27/2011 7:55:19 PM ETSo is this an unofficial admission that the ABUs are ineffective and a horrible mistake If not why do many deployers wear either ACUs or OCP as issued by the Army? Too bad so much time effort and money was wasted in the ABU when so many better options wereare available...

Capt T, Panama City FL

1/27/2011 7:52:03 PM ETSo we have to go to Afghanistan and be outside the wire to deserve the best ground combat uniform. Essentially any use of the ABU could result in putting Airmen at risk either on the front lines or at home.

Comment on this news story by using the comment box below. All comments are reviewed before being posted. Content managers may edit them for grammar and length. While we encourage an open and back and forth dialog between our site visitors, content managers reserve the right to not publish comments that are considered personal attacks or insults. Messages that advertise a product, group or web site will not be posted.

We require a valid e-mail address to complete the process. However, we will not publish the e-mail address. If you are looking for a response to a question please use our feedback page to contact us. Click on the link on the footer of this page that says "Contact Us".

The opinions expressed in the following comments do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Air Force.